Duvet Inserts and Methods of Manufacture Thereof

ABSTRACT

Duvet inserts are provided with at least two chamfered or beveled corners to prevent overhanging of the corners. Additional drag caused by the overhanging corners and frequent handling of duvet inserts by the corners causes migration of fillers contained therein and this is mitigated by the chamfered corners. Again, sectional barriers, preferably by stitching zigzag, waves or triangle wave stitches along the periphery of duvet inserts are capable of minimizing migration of fillers. Furthermore, quilted or line stitches on at least two corners can also be provided to contain the fillers. Duvet inserts of the present disclosure are durable and chamfered corners provide a neat and tailored look thereby enhancing bed presentation and also avert accidents such as tripping over the overhanging portion.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to the field of bedding, particularly toduvet inserts.

BACKGROUND

Duvets are popular bedding items that provide comfort to a user and atthe same time add to the aesthetic appeal of the room by enhancing bedpresentation. Duvets include duvet inserts that may be provided withremovable duvet covers. Duvet covers that are designed to snugly fitduvet inserts protect duvet inserts when in use and can be washed. Also,duvet covers can be designed to match other bedding items or the roomdecor to provide a desired look. Duvet inserts on the other hand aremore practical and cater to the comfort of the user. Accordingly, duvetinserts are provided with suitable fillers that provide thermalinsulation and comfort.

Duvets are large sized when compared to the mattress and generallyextend to the foot of the bed with box corners extending from thecorners of the bed. The excess portions of the duvet in the form of boxcorners tend to not only spoil the appearance of the arrangement butalso disturb the stability of the duvet insert. An overhang tends tointroduce a drag and adds weight to the corners. Also, handling of duvettypically involves tugging at the corners. Frequent handling of the boxcorners along with the added weight due to the overhang results inuneven migration of fillers contained in the duvet inserts. Migration offillers mitigates the intended purpose of the duvet and its efficiencyreduces with use.

Several endeavors have been made to reduce filler migration. Forinstance, duvet inserts are sewn-through pinching both sides of theshell or the outermost layers of the duvet inserts together in such away that seams run perpendicular to each other forming baffle likestructure creating pockets of fillers that are contained therein. Someattempts have also been made to configure ‘S’-shaped patterns to containthe fillers. However, such stitches are difficult to implement. Skilledlabor or machines may be required to first configure such pockets andsecondly to ensure that fillers are evenly distributed across the duvetinsert.

The example embodiments disclosed addresses the above and other possibleneeds relating to the field of duvet inserts.

All publications herein, if incorporated, are by reference to the sameextent as if each individual publication or patent applications werespecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference isinconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein,the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definitionof that term in the reference does not apply.

Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term usedin the instant application is not defined below, it should be given thebroadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term asreflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time offiling.

The expression “duvet insert” referred to in the instant applicationrefers to a type of bedding resembling a bag filled with fillers. Duvetinserts can include one or more layers of fabric, insulators, fillersand the like. Duvet inserts can further be provided with duvet coversfor protection or aesthetic appeal. All embodiments claimed anddescribed herein with regards to “duvet inserts” are understood toinclude duvet inserts with duvet covers, if provided separately or as anintegral part of the duvet insert. The expression “duvet inserts” mayalso be interpreted to include “comforters” as referred in some parts ofthe world.

The expressions “sew” and “stitch” may be used interchangeably to implyfastening or joining by stitching or other forms of bonding, as known inthe art and may be a manual process or may involve use of machines.

In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients,properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth,used to describe and claim certain example embodiments are to beunderstood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.”Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth inthe written description and attached claims are approximations that canvary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by aparticular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parametersshould be construed in light of the number of reported significantdigits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstandingthat the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scopeof some example embodiments are approximations, the numerical values setforth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable.The numerical values presented in some example embodiments may containcertain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation foundin their respective testing measurements.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the descriptionherein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise.

The recitation of ranges of values, if used herein is merely intended toserve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separatevalue falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respectto certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminatethe example features and does not pose a limitation on the scope of theclaimed subject matter.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments, if any, disclosedherein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can bereferred to and claimed individually or in any combination with othermembers of the group or other elements found herein. One or more membersof a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons ofconvenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletionoccurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group asmodified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groupsused in the appended claims.

SUMMARY

Aspects of present disclosure relate to duvet inserts and methods ofmanufacture thereof.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a duvet insertcan include at least two corners configured to minimize overhang of thecorners. In an embodiment, the at least two corners are either chamferedor beveled to ensure that the corners extend downwardly and in closeproximity to the mattress on which the duvet insert is placed. In anembodiment, at least two corners of the duvet insert can be providedwith at least one of quilted or line stitches for containing fillers andminimizing filler migration.

In an embodiment, the duvet insert can further include a main body thatforms the core of the duvet insert. The main body is designed to majorlycontain fillers of suitable material, type and volume to provide desiredcomfort to a user. The main body can be surrounded by a frame thatextends along the periphery of the duvet insert. In an embodiment, atleast the frame can be configured with intersecting sectional barriersfor containing fillers at least within the main body and prevent unevenmigration of the fillers, thereby improving stability of the duvetinsert.

In an embodiment, the sectional barriers can be defined by stitching apre-determined pattern such as zigzag, waves, triangle or triangle wavesor a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, at least two corners of the duvet insert are providedwith quilted or line stitches for containing the fillers and minimizingfiller migration during handling

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method ofmaking a duvet insert can include the operation of configuring at leasttwo corners to prevent the corners from hanging out. In an embodiment,the operation of configuring includes chamfering or beveling of the atleast two corners.

In accordance with an embodiment, the operation of chamfering orbeveling can include one or more combinations of cutting, folding andstitching to obtain finished contours at the corners.

In accordance with an embodiment, the method of making a duvet insertcan further comprise the operation of configuring intersecting sectionalbarriers at least on a frame defined around a main body and extendingalong the periphery of the duvet insert such that the sectional barrierscontain fillers at least within the main body and minimize migration offillers.

In accordance with an embodiment, the operation of configuringintersecting sectional barriers can include stitching a pre-determinedpattern such as zigzag, waves, triangle or triangle wave stitches or acombination thereof.

In accordance with an embodiment, the method of making a duvet insertcan further comprise providing quilted or line stitches on at least twocorners of the duvet insert to contain fillers and minimize fillermigration.

Some features of the example embodiments disclosed include providingduvet inserts that enable aesthetic bed presentation.

Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide duvet insertsthat mitigate migration of fillers.

Still another feature of the present disclosure is to provide duvetinserts that make optimum use of fillers, stitching material and fabricused.

Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to provide costeffective duvet inserts.

Yet another feature of the present disclosure is to provide duvetinserts that are easy to manufacture.

Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide durable duvetinserts.

An additional feature of the present disclosure is to provide duvetinserts that minimize overhang of the corners to avert accidents such astripping over the overhanging portion.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventivesubject matter will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanyingdrawing figures in which like numerals represent like components

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrateexemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with thedescription, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an exemplary duvetinsert known in the art.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of an exemplary duvetinsert in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

In the Figures, similar components and/or features may have the samereference label. Further, various components of the same type may bedistinguished by following the reference label with a second label thatdistinguishes among the similar components. If only the first referencelabel is used in the specification, the description is applicable to anyone of the similar components having the same first reference labelirrespective of the second reference label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosuredepicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in suchdetail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount ofdetail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations ofembodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable orderunless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted bycontext. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g.“such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein isintended merely to better illuminate example features and does not posea limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to duvet inserts andmethods of manufacture thereof. Duvet inserts are provided with fillersof suitable material, type, and volume to provide desired comfort to auser. Duvet inserts known in the art have box corners that tend to hangout from the corners of the bed and thereby create a drag on the fillersdue to the weight of the overhang. Again frequent handling of the duvetinsert by the corners further causes migration of fillers resulting inuneven distribution of fillers contained therein and thus defeating theintended purpose of the duvet insert.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an exemplary duvetinsert 100 known in the art. Box corners 110 hang out or protrude fromthe corners of the bed when duvet insert 100 is placed on a mattress.Duvet insert 100 is provided with pockets of fillers created byperpendicular seams 112 running across entire main body 114 of duvetinsert 100. Box corners 110 mar the bed presentation and also tend todrag the fillers outwards by the weight of the overhang at the corners.Besides the poor presentation, overhanging corners may cause accidentslike tripping over the overhanging portions.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of an exemplary duvetinsert 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.In an embodiment, duvet insert 200 is provided with at least two corners210 that are configured to minimize overhang. In an embodiment, corners210 can be chamfered or beveled to plane off the box corners seen intraditional duvet inserts such as duvet insert 100 illustrated in FIG. 1and provide a neat and tailored look that enhances bed presentation.Chamfered or beveled corners 210 extend downwardly in close proximity tothe edges of the mattress on which the duvet insert is placed thusminimizing overhang of the corners and enhancing the drape ability ofthe duvet. Besides improving bed presentation, minimized overhang alsominimizes migration of fillers towards the corners which disturbs thestable and intended even distribution of fillers.

In accordance with an embodiment, duvet insert 200 can include main body214 that essentially includes the core part of the insert and containsbulk of fillers required. Fillers are selected based on requirement andmainly address user comfort. The fillers can be made of naturalresources or can be synthetic or man-made. Frame 216 can be definedaround main body 214 and extending along the periphery of duvet insert200 such that frame 216 is configured with intersecting sectionalbarriers 218 for containing fillers at least within main body 214 andcapable of preventing migration and thereby uneven distribution offillers.

In accordance with an embodiment, frame 216 can be at least three incheswide along the periphery of duvet insert 200, such width is generallyreferenced as ‘d’ for illustrative purpose.

In accordance with an embodiment, quantity, type and material of fillersin main body 214 can differ from that in frame 216. A cost effectiveembodiment can include frame 216 with no fillers or fillers of reducedquantity or of a type that does not necessarily cater to user comfort.It will be appreciated that either main body 214 or frame 216 or bothmay be provided with one or more layers of fabric or fillers or both asper requirement.

In accordance with an embodiment, sectional barriers 218 can be definedon at least one of frame 216 and main body 214. In accordance with anembodiment, sectional barriers 218 can be defined by stitching apre-determined pattern. Such sectional barriers are capable ofcontaining fillers and preventing migration of fillers that can lead topoor performance of the duvet insert besides marring the aesthetic lookof the bed presentation. The patterns can be at least one of zigzag,waves, triangle, triangle wave, parallel, S shaped stitches or acombination thereof. Particularly, zigzag patterns are easy to implementand saves on stitching material and labor to achieve the desired effectwhen compared to traditionally known ‘S’ shaped and other stitchpatterns.

In accordance with an embodiment, at least two corners of duvet insert200 are provided with quilted stitches or line stitches for containingfillers and minimizing filler migration. The illustrated embodimentshows three line stitches 212 provided at each of two corners of duvetinsert 200.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a method ofmaking a duvet insert can include an operation of configuring at leasttwo corners so that the corners do not protrude and hang out. In anembodiment, the operation of configuring can include chamfering orbeveling of the at least two corners. Preventing overhang at the cornersenhances the aesthetic appeal of bed presentation since the chamfered orbeveled corners no longer have box corners and tend to extend downwardlyand not protrude or remain suspended as seen in the art. Again, there isa reduction in drag at the corners that is caused by the weight of theoverhang. This reduced drag further mitigates migration of fillerstowards the corner.

In accordance with an embodiment, chamfering or beveling can include oneor more combinations of cutting, folding and stitching to obtainfinished contours at the corners.

In accordance with an embodiment, the method of making a duvet insertcan further include the operation of providing at least one of quiltedor line stitches on at least two corners of the duvet insert forcontaining fillers and minimizing filler migration.

In an embodiment, a method of making a duvet insert can include anoperation of configuring intersecting sectional barriers at least on aframe defined around a main body and extending along the periphery ofthe duvet insert. The sectional barriers are configured to containfillers at least within the main body and prevent uneven migration offillers. In an embodiment, the method can further include an operationof configuring at least two corners to minimize overhang of the at leasttwo corners by either chamfering or bevelling. The method can alsoinclude an operation of configuring intersecting sectional barriers bystitching a pre-determined pattern such as zigzag, waves, triangle,triangle wave stitches or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, atleast one of quilted or line stitches can be provided on at least twocorners of the duvet insert to contain fillers and minimize fillermigration.

The present disclosure provides duvet inserts that enable aesthetic bedpresentation.

The present disclosure provides duvet inserts that mitigate migration offillers.

The present disclosure provides duvet inserts that make optimum use offillers, stitching material and fabric used.

The present disclosure provides cost effective duvet inserts.

The present disclosure provides duvet inserts that are easy tomanufacture.

The present disclosure provides durable duvet inserts.

The present disclosure provides duvet inserts that minimize overhang ofthe corners to avert accidents such as tripping over the overhangingportion.

In addition to the embodiments and examples shown, numerous variants arepossible, which may be obvious to a person skilled in the art relatingto the various aspects of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” areinclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features,integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative operations may be employed.

The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the useof one or more elements, as the use may be in one of the embodiments toachieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

It may be appreciated that various other modifications and changes maybe made to the embodiment described without departing from the spiritand scope of the disclosure.

1. A duvet insert comprising at least two corners configured to minimizeoverhang of said at least two corners.
 2. The duvet insert of claim 1,wherein said at least two corners are either chamfered or bevelled. 3.The duvet insert of claim 1, wherein at least two corners of said duvetinsert are provided with at least one of quilted or line stitches forcontaining fillers and minimizing filler migration.
 4. A duvet insertcomprising: a main body; and a frame defined around said main body andextending along the periphery of said duvet insert, wherein at leastsaid frame is configured with intersecting sectional barriers forcontaining fillers at least within said main body.
 5. The duvet insertof claim 4 further comprising at least two corners configured tominimize overhang of said at least two corners.
 6. The duvet insert ofclaim 5, wherein said at least two corners are either chamfered orbevelled.
 7. The duvet insert of claim 4, wherein said sectionalbarriers are defined by stitching a pre-determined pattern.
 8. The duvetinsert of claim 7, wherein said pre-determined pattern is at least oneselected from the group consisting of zigzag, waves, triangle andtriangle wave stitches.
 9. The duvet insert of claim 4, wherein saidframe is at least three inches wide along the periphery of said duvetinsert.
 10. The duvet insert of claim 4, wherein at least two corners ofsaid duvet insert are provided with at least one of quilted or linestitches for containing fillers and minimizing filler migration.
 11. Amethod of making a duvet insert comprising: configuring at least twocorners to minimize overhang of said at least two corners.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the configuring comprises chamfering orbevelling of said at least two corners.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein said chamfering or bevelling comprises one or more combinationsof cutting, folding and stitching to obtain finished contours at thecorners.
 14. The method of claim 11 further comprising: providing atleast one of quilted or line stitches on at least two corners of saidduvet insert for containing fillers and minimizing filler migration. 15.A method of making a duvet insert comprising: configuring intersectingsectional barriers at least on a frame defined around a main body andextending along the periphery of said duvet insert, said sectionalbarriers adapted to contain fillers at least within said main body andminimize migration of fillers therein.
 16. The method of claim 15further comprising: configuring at least two corners to minimizeoverhang of said at least two corners.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the configuring comprises chamfering or bevelling of said atleast two corners.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the configuringintersecting sectional barriers comprises stitching a pre-determinedpattern.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the pre-determined patternis at least one selected from the group consisting of zigzag, waves,triangle and triangle wave stitches.
 20. The method of claim 15 furthercomprising: providing at least one of quilted stitches or line stitcheson at least two corners of said duvet insert to contain fillers andminimize filler migration.